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Description
Build a career with impact. Working at the World Bank Group (WBG) provides a unique opportunity to help countries solve their greatest development challenges. As one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries, the WBG is a unique partnership of five global institutions dedicated to ending poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, the WBG works with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges.
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2025, IFC committed a record $71.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging private sector solutions, and mobilizing private capital to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. For more information, visit: https://www.ifc.org.
The World Bank Group office in Zagreb is seeking to hire a motivated and detail-oriented Extended-Term Temporary (ETT) – Senior Program Assistant to provide project implementation support, administrative coordination, and operational assistance for IFC and IBRD activities in Croatia. The selected candidate will work closely with the IFC Country Officer, IFC project teams, and, where relevant, IBRD colleagues, to ensure efficient execution of programs and seamless liaison with partners and stakeholders. The role will involve, coordination of project-related logistics, and support in preparing project documentation and monitoring deliverables.
While the primary focus will be on activities in Croatia, there may be occasional responsibilities linked to IFC engagements in other European and Western Balkan countries.
Duties and Accountabilities:
The Extended-Term Temporary will provide comprehensive administrative, logistical, and project implementation support for IFC and IBRD’s activities in Croatia, with occasional assistance on regional engagements when required. The Consultant will report to three units, including the IFC’s Country Advisory and Economics unit for Europe (CEUAE) (50 % of time allocation), IFC Country Team (30 %) and CTRCS (20 %).
The tasks are as follows:
1) Administrative and Office Coordination
• Provide day-to-day administrative and client support to IFC staff based in the Zagreb office, including scheduling, organizing meetings, managing correspondence, and maintaining updated contact lists.
• Coordinate with the World Bank Zagreb office and other IFC offices in the Europe region on administrative, finance, HR, and ICT issues, ensuring consistency with corporate standards and applying best practices in office administration.
• Maintain orderly and accessible electronic and hardcopy files for projects, contracts, mission documents, and other office records.
2) Project Implementation Support
• Provide assistance for IFC projects, including the IFC SkillUp Project and other local initiatives. This includes organization of events, liaison with participants, liaison with key stakeholders to ensure a smooth implementation of the projects.
• Assist with editing project-related documents, reports, memos, and briefing materials; ensure accurate proofreading and translation between English and Croatian as needed.
• Prepare presentation materials (e.g., PowerPoint slides) and compile project data for team use.
• Support the coordination and monitoring of work plans, consultant deliverables, and deadlines; track key outputs in collaboration with project teams.
• Assist in procurement-related activities for projects, including preparation of terms of reference, managing Expressions of Interest, and supporting contract administration.
• Perform Integrity Due Diligence (IDD) screening for new external counterparties and conduct ongoing monitoring of existing ones, following IFC protocols.
3) Stakeholder and Partner Engagement Support
• Act as liaison between IFC staff and government authorities, private sector entities, academia, civil society, and international development agencies active in Croatia.
• Maintain and strengthen relationships with partners and stakeholders to support smooth project execution and timely information sharing.
• Organize translation and interpretation services as required to facilitate communication with local stakeholders.
4) Mission and Event Logistics
• Provide full logistical coordination for visiting IFC and World Bank Group missions, including travel arrangements, meeting schedules, and coordination with other country offices in Europe.
• Organize and provide support for meetings, workshops, conferences, and senior management visits, ensuring that venues, materials, and participant coordination are effectively managed.
• Assist with logistical arrangements for consultants hired for specific company or activity-level interventions.
5) Office-Wide and Cross-Institutional Support
• Support IFC Croatia in office-wide activities, knowledge exchange sessions, and internal communications.
• Contribute inputs for corporate briefs, background notes, and management requests related to Croatia.
• Perform other duties as required to ensure smooth functioning of the IFC office and successful delivery of projects.
6) CTRCS administrative and office support
• Provide support to Management and CTRCS department.
• Organize and coordinate the administrative functioning of the Department including monitoring and maintenance of LARS, TRS, Outlook distribution lists, office space, supplies, equipment, software inventory, Leave and Mission Plans.
• Represent CTRCS as a Communications focal point. Update CTRCS relevant web pages on CTRTL site, collect the relevant information from the regional centers for the department updates and insights materials, other relevant tasks.
• Coordinate meetings for staff in Regional Centers, including Zagreb, Chennai, Manila, Beijing, Brasilia, and Nairobi.
• Draft/finalize correspondence independently, screen and handle telephone calls, monitor and follow up on issues and priorities of concern to the Loan Management Team, ensure relevant documents are available for meetings and deadlines are met.
• Appropriately handle other tasks that may be assigned by the CTRCS management, back up arrangements for peer colleagues.
• Assign specific loans and countries to the Finance Officers, Analysts and Assistants in SAP PRD and reflect it in OPCS page. Monitor the relevant resources for up-to-date information.
• Assign Ilap related roles in SAP PRD and TST for WFATL colleagues. Monitor the relevance of the roles and serve as VAA focal point in the Department.
• Provide support for WFACS and Regional Centers in coordinating FundChain rollout and implementation during FY2026.
Selection Criteria
Preference will be given to local talent, that is, applicants who are authorized to work in the duty station for any employer. Internal applicants may apply per existing guidelines.
• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, economics, public policy, finance, or another relevant discipline. Master’s degree is an asset.
• At least three years of relevant experience in project coordination, administrative support, or program implementation — preferably in a development organization or private sector environment. Any experience with WBG is a strong advantage.
• At least 3 years of relevant experience with the Croatian private sector.
• Knowledge of Croatia’s administrative and operational environment, and familiarity with development programs or private sector initiatives. WBG procedures will be a plus.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
• Proven ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, private companies, consultants, and development partners.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, in English and Croatian.
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency in MS Office (Word, Outlook, Teams) and aptitude for learning internal systems.
• Ability to operate in a multi-cultural environment and to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated problem-solving ability and flexibility to adapt to evolving tasks and priorities.
WBG Culture Attributes:
1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.
World Bank Group Core Competencies
As per WBG policy, an Extended Term (ET) appointment is subject to a lifetime maximum of three (3) years. Former and current ET staff who have completed or are in the process of completing their third-year ET appointment are not eligible for future ET appointments.
We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.
Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC including our values and inspiring stories.
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